Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with gooey cinnamon-sugar filling, then topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet indulgence, they offer that irresistible bakery-style taste right from your kitchen. Whether you’re baking for a holiday or just because, these rolls are sure to impress.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

all-purpose floursugarunsalted butterwhole milkactive dry yeasteggssaltground cinnamondark brown sugarcream cheesevanilla extractpowdered sugar

directions

Warm the milk to about 110°F (43°C) and sprinkle the yeast over it. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.

In a large bowl, mix the sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Add the foamy yeast mixture and stir to combine.

Gradually add flour until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Punch down the dough and roll it into a large rectangle on a floured surface.

Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle with a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon.

Tightly roll the dough into a log and cut into 12 even pieces.

Place rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

While the rolls bake, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a bit of milk to make the glaze.

Spread the glaze over warm rolls before serving.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields 12 cinnamon rolls.Preparation time: 25 minutesFirst rise time: 1.5 hoursSecond rise time: 45 minutesBaking time: 20-25 minutesTotal time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Variations

Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for a crunchy twist.

Mix in a bit of orange zest to the glaze for a citrusy flavor.

Swap the cream cheese glaze for a simple vanilla icing or maple glaze.

Use bread flour for a slightly chewier texture.

storage/reheating

Store cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.For longer storage, freeze unglazed rolls for up to 2 months.To reheat, microwave individual rolls for 20-30 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.

FAQs

Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the rolls the night before and refrigerate them. Let them come to room temperature and rise before baking.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

You can knead the dough by hand—it just takes a little more time and elbow grease.

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, but skip the proofing step and mix it directly with the dry ingredients.

Why didn’t my dough rise?

Make sure your yeast is active and your milk isn’t too hot, which can kill the yeast.

How do I keep my rolls soft?

Don’t overbake, and make sure to cover them while cooling to trap moisture.

Is it okay to skip the glaze?

Yes, but the glaze adds extra sweetness and creaminess that enhances the rolls.

Can I freeze the dough?

Yes, after the first rise, shape and freeze the rolls. Thaw and let rise again before baking.

Are these cinnamon rolls overly sweet?

They’re rich and sweet, but you can adjust the sugar and glaze to your taste.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely—just use a larger baking dish or two pans.

Do I have to use whole milk?

Whole milk adds richness, but you can substitute with 2% or non-dairy milk.

Conclusion

The Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are a comforting, bakery-style indulgence you can master in your own kitchen. With their soft layers, warm spice, and creamy glaze, they’re a crowd-pleaser for any morning occasion. Once you try them, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.